Best 9 Spice Gem Cookies Old Time Recipes

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Indulge in a nostalgic journey with our collection of beloved Spice Gem Cookies recipes, a delightful treat passed down through generations. These cookies, also known as Gem Drops or Anise Cookies, are characterized by their enticing aroma and captivating flavors. Each recipe offers a unique twist on this classic, ensuring a delightful experience for every palate. Whether you prefer the traditional anise flavor or desire variations like lemon, caraway, or coconut, we have a recipe that will transport you back in time. Prepare to be enchanted by the simplicity yet irresistible charm of these delectable cookies.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

GRANDMA STAFFORD'S NUTMEG COOKIES



Grandma Stafford's Nutmeg Cookies image

This delicious nutmeg cookie recipe is courtesy of Abigail Breslin's great-grandmother.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes 3 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 9

Unsalted butter, for baking sheet
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a baking sheet and set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together sugar and shortening until well combined. Add eggs, mixing until incorporated.
  • In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. With the mixer running, add flour, alternating with buttermilk and beginning and ending with flour; mix until well combined.
  • Using a tablespoon, drop dough onto prepared baking sheet and transfer to oven. Bake until edges are slightly brown, about 15 minutes.

EXOTIC SPICE COOKIES WITH GINGER, CARDAMOM AND ROSE WATER



Exotic Spice Cookies with Ginger, Cardamom and Rose Water image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h33m

Yield about 2 1/2 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup vegetable shortening, room temperature
1 large egg
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon rosewater
3/4 cup turbinado (raw) sugar, for rolling

Steps:

  • Whisk the flour, ground ginger, baking soda, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, pepper and salt in a medium bowl until blended. Mix in the crystallized ginger. Set aside momentarily.
  • In a large bowl beat the brown sugar, butter and shortening with an electric mixer until fluffy (do not over-beat, it will add too much air). Add the egg, honey and rosewater and beat until blended. Stir in the flour mixture with a wooden spoon, mixing until just until blended. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray 2 cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon the turbinado sugar in thick layer onto small plate. Using wet hands, form dough into 1 1/4-inch balls; roll in sugar to coat completely. Place balls on prepared sheets, spacing 2 to 3 inches apart.
  • Bake cookies until cracked on top but still soft to touch, about 11 to 13 minutes. Cool on sheets 1 minute. Carefully transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely.

SPICE GEM COOKIES, OLD TIME RECIPE



Spice Gem Cookies, Old Time Recipe image

My mom's recipe for soft and tender spice cookies that are pure comfort food! These freeze well, but they won't last long enough to freeze!

Provided by Carol in Oz

Categories     Drop Cookies

Time 22m

Yield 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup margarine or 1/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup applesauce
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon clove
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup raisins

Steps:

  • Cream together butter and sugar
  • Add egg and apple sauce to butter mixture and beat well.
  • Add flour til smooth.
  • Stir in baking soda, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Add raisins to mixture and drop from teaspoon onto greased baking sheet.
  • Bake 10-12 minutes at 350C until golden brown.
  • Cool on wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 110.6, Fat 2.3, SaturatedFat 0.4, Cholesterol 8.8, Sodium 83.7, Carbohydrate 21.9, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 12.4, Protein 1.4

GRANNY'S SPICE COOKIES



Granny's Spice Cookies image

Granny always had a batch of these delicious, crispy cookies waiting for us at her house. When I miss her more than usual, I make these cookies and let the aroma fill my house and heart. -Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 30m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
1 tablespoon cold water
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Red Hot candies, nonpareils and/or sprinkles

Steps:

  • Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, corn syrup, orange zest and cold water. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and cloves; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into desired shapes with a cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Decorate as desired. Bake until lightly browned, 6-8 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts :

FROSTED SPICE COOKIES



Frosted Spice Cookies image

This recipe has been handed down through many generations of my husband's family. The cookies were always in his grandmother's cookie jar when he'd visit. Today, he enjoys them more than ever—and so do I. —Debbie Hurlbert, Howard, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 5.50 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup molasses
1 cup buttermilk
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup chopped dates
FROSTING:
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg; beat in molasses and buttermilk. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the walnuts, raisins and dates. Chill for 2 hours or until easy to handle. , On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a 2-1/2-in. round cookie cutter. , Place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes. Cool completely. , For frosting, beat all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Spread over cooled cookies; let dry completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 149 calories, Fat 5g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 94mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

GRAMMY'S SPICE COOKIES



Grammy's Spice Cookies image

This recipe for spice cookies came to The Times from Claire Will of San Francisco after a callout for favorite holiday recipes. At first, it seemed rather plain Jane, but the hefty dose of ground cloves (3/4 teaspoon) was what lured me into testing it, and I have to admit I was skeptical. I was soon a believer. Of the five kinds of cookies I served to a group at a holiday party, those crisp-edged, soft-centered beauties were the first to vanish. One friend texted on his way home, "send recipe for spice cookies a.s.a.p."

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dessert

Time 1h

Yield About 3 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup/225 grams unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
1 cup/200 grams granulated sugar
1/4 cup/60 milliliters molasses
1 large egg
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons/240 grams all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 3/4 cups/460 grams confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk, more as needed
1 to 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey, optional

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick liners.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat 12 tablespoons butter with the granulated sugar, molasses and egg until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Slowly beat in flour, baking soda, spices and salt.
  • Shape dough into walnut-size balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake until firm, about 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.
  • To make the icing, beat remaining 4 tablespoons butter with the confectioners' sugar until smooth. (Go slowly so you don't create a sugar storm.) Beat in the vanilla and enough cream or milk, and whiskey (if using), to make a spreadable frosting. Slather on fully cooled cookies.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 154, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 25 grams, Fat 6 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 86 milligrams, Sugar 20 grams, TransFat 0 grams

OLD-FASHIONED SPICED FRUIT COOKIES



Old-Fashioned Spiced Fruit Cookies image

Betty Crocker's Heart Healthy Cookbook shares a recipe! Dessert ready in about 30 minutes! Try classic fruit cookies in a new way - a delightful treat.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 30m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 medium tart red apple, unpeeled, cored and cut into wedges
1 medium orange, unpeeled and cut into wedges
1 cup chopped dates
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup canola or soybean oil
1 egg
1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 cup Gold Medal™ whole wheat flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or flaxseed meal
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°. Place apple, orange and dates in blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until well blended.
  • Mix brown sugar, oil and egg in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients and fruit mixture. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 220, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 4 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 2 Cookies, Sodium 115 mg, Sugar 17 g, TransFat 0 g

GERMAN SPICE COOKIES



German Spice Cookies image

These chewy spice cookies are great with coffee and taste even better the next day. The recipe has been a family favorite for more than 40 years.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 20m

Yield 3-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 large eggs
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add the brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon and pepper. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the egg mixture. Stir in raisins and walnuts. , Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until surface cracks. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190 calories, Fat 4g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 105mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

SUGAR AND SPICE COOKIES



Sugar and Spice Cookies image

These are my favorite cut-out cookies. Sweet and spicy, they're a wonderful Christmas treat. I've been making them every Christmas for almost 15 years now. You can make the dough up to 3 days ahead of time.

Provided by BJREEVE

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Cut-Out Cookie Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 50

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch ground cloves
½ cup softened butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Mix the flour, the baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves together in a bowl.
  • Cream the butter and brown sugar together with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth; beat the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Add the flour mixture in small amount to the butter mixture, beating each addition until blended. Form the dough into a ball, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.
  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets.
  • Roll the dough out on a floured work surface with a rolling pin to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with 2-inch cookie cutters. Arrange the cut cookies onto the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the edges begin to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 50.8 calories, Carbohydrate 7.8 g, Cholesterol 8.6 mg, Fat 2 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 25.6 mg, Sugar 4.3 g

Tips:

  • Use a combination of spices to create a unique flavor. Common spices used in gem cookies include cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.
  • Be sure to cream the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. This will help the cookies to have a tender texture.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies to hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
  • Bake the cookies until they are just set around the edges. Overbaking will make the cookies dry and crumbly.
  • Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. This will help to keep them fresh and flavorful.

Conclusion:

Spice gem cookies are a delicious and festive treat that can be enjoyed year-round. With their warm and inviting spices and chewy texture, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. Next time you're looking for a special cookie to bake, give spice gem cookies a try. You won't be disappointed!

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